Safe
as houses. Thats
how todays
air-bagged and safety system-
cocooned drivers feel. And probably
nowhere more so than when sitting
behind the wheel of a Volvo.
Fortunately these days, safety no
longer means boxy
as the
sharply-styled V40 proves...

MOST OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED that heart-stopping moment when another driver
has shot out right under your nose from a side-turning, launched across your
right-of-way on a rush-hour roundabout or even reversed Bullet-style
out of a drive into your path, so spare a thought for those not protected by
crumple zones and sculpted metal armour  pedestrians, cyclists
and motorbike riders.

Nowadays, if you drive a Volvo, colliding with any of the above should
be less traumatic for all involved. Take the V40 we've just tested 
it comes fitted with an underbonnet pedestrian airbag (a World first) that,
on impacts between 12 and 31mph, inflates to cover the unforgiving areas under
the bonnet and across the windscreen and screen pillars to protect pedestrians
and riders who might end up there.

Safety aside, there are
other more visible
reasons to buy a five-
door V40 family hatch;
not least that its seen as
an upmarket rival to the
likes of Alfas Giulietta,
Audis A3, BMW's 1
Series and even the
Mercedes A-Class...

And
that's not all; the V40 bristles with an array of active safety systems, the
most important  given the amount of costly minor crashes that occur
every day  probably being the City Safety low-speed collision avoidance
system that's fitted as standard equipment and which can detect an obstacle
ahead in the line of fire and will then, if the driver fails to react quickly
enough, stop the car automatically if a low-speed collision is imminent. City
Safety is also good for your pocket because it has the added benefit of contributing
to lower insurance premiums.

All that's in addition to a full complement of seven airbags and a five-star
Euro NCAP crash test score  not just any five-stars, but one with
a near-perfect 98% score for adult occupant protection.

If you need to feel even safer still, you can tick the box for the Driver Support
Pack  this includes a full-speed collision warning and crash avoidance
system along with driver alertness monitoring, pedestrian detection, lane departure
warning, blind-spot alerts, adaptive cruise control and road sign information.
Also worthwhile is a reversing camera and Cross Traffic Alert, which uses radar
to detect traffic crossing behind when reversing.

Safety aside, there are other more visible reasons to buy a five-door V40 family
hatch; not least that it's seen as an upmarket rival to the likes of Alfa's
Giulietta, Audi's A3, BMW's 1 Series and even Mercedes-Benz's A-Class.

With it's low thrusting nose, high tail and sporty profile, the V40 is a handsome
looker from every angle. Bold, straight-cut wheel arches create a hunkered-down
look emphasised by the rising waistline that sweeps up over the rear haunches,
and the stand-out boomerang-shaped tail lights that flank the black glass tailgate.

Another sound reason for going V40 is its über-frugal 1.6 turbodiesel D2 engine.
Super-clean (it emits just 88g/km of CO2), it officially averages 74.3mpg (touring
91.1 and town 83.1mpg). Driven reasonably hard during our full week's test,
'our' car managed a commendable 53.5mpg overall. Okay, so that's short of the
claimed figure but given how well it drives that's nevertheless a perfectly
worthwhile real-life result that will please many owners  who won't
ever be forking out any cash for road tax and who will also get free entry into
London's Congestion Charge zone anytime they fancy visiting the capital.

You'd
be forgiven for thinking that those headline mpg figures might be down to a
trade-off with performance. Don't worry, performance has not been sacrificed
on the altar of politically-correct miles-per-gallon results. The 1.6-litre
four-pot D2 is a torquey little number with 199lb ft on call from fairly low
down, so you don't need to work it hard to make meaningful progress. Hitting
the benchmark 0-62mph takes 11.9 seconds and the 1,560cc powerplant will run
the V40 right up to a perfectly civilised 118mph.

Well stacked gear ratios keep the D2 nice and quiet when cruising at the legal
limit on the motorway. And even in the argy-bargy of town driving the torquey
1.6-litre keeps it all relaxed; the fuel-maximising auto stop-start works smoothly
and, unlike many, you don't feel the need to switch it off. Overall, it's an
agreeable four-pot; clean-revving and perfectly fine for all motoring scenarios.
And most people would never guess it's a diesel from inside the cabin.

Going Volvo has yet another advantage  Scandi-style. The V40's
understated, bling-free cabin is immediately welcoming (and immediately 'Swedish').
The quality and the fit and finish do justice to the elegant mix of fabric and
leather trim materials, all made better by the invigorating colourways that
you'll be hard pressed to find elsewhere. If you've previously been sitting
in an Audi or BMW you certainly won't feel you've traded down.

The front seats are kingly: 'big-car' luxurious, well padded and agreeably supportive
in all the right places. These are chairs that will keep you comfy and relaxed
during a long  a very long  day's driving.
Three-stage heating is the icing on the cake. And even with the optional full-length
fixed glass panoramic roof (including a powered sunblind), there's still a fist
of headroom.

Physically, accommodation in the airy cabin is first rate and makes the V40
perfect for a variety of daily uses, from commuting to the school run. From
behind the wheel visibility is excellent, so placing the V40 in the cut and
thrust of traffic is a doddle. That alone is a big stress-buster.

Essential driver information is equally clear  in fact the digital
Active TFT instruments are superbly sharp both day and night. And they offer
the choice (just click the end of the indicator stalk) of three themes, each
offering different information sets relevant to the driving modes: Performance
(the virtual speedometer becomes a red-shaded rev-counter with a digital speed
display alongside a power-use meter); Elegance (the 'normal' setting); or Eco
with economy-dedicated displays. All smart, logical and great to look at.

The SE Nav model
comes well kitted out
with all the default
luxuries including
SatNav and road sign
speed limit recognition
(displays the posted
speed limits), so owners
really wont want for
anything or need to
spend any more
money...

Practical
storage solutions include a large cooled, two-tier, rubber-lined glovebox, usable
door bins, a handy out-of-sight storage area behind the 'floating' centre stack,
and unexpectedly useful soft pouches along the front of both front seats.

More hands-on pleasure comes from the multifunction (voice, audio, speed limiter,
cruise) leather-bound steering wheel, which feels good in your hands. And the
foolproof SatNav will get you to your destination first time, every time, plus
there's efficient hot and cold air on demand from the climate control which
benefits from a quiet blower! And there's a trad handbrake  still
the number one choice for the majority of motorists.

The
SE Nav model comes well kitted out with all the default luxuries including SatNav
and road sign speed limit recognition (displays the posted speed limits), so
owners really won't want for anything or need to spend any more money.

That said, our test car was fitted with some 'must have' extras such as the
panoramic glass roof (£1,000), Park Assist Pilot that checks out an available
space before steering in the car for you (£850), keyless entry and locking with
engine Stop-Start button (£550), 17-inch alloys (a £550 upgrade), flexible load
floor (£100), and Active TFT display (£300).

While there's not as much headroom in the back as there is in the front (although
an average adult can sit easily behind another of the same), there is another
advantage  the outer pair of rear seats are mounted further in
towards the middle of the cabin than normal, thus providing more shoulder and
elbow room as well as a better view forward past the front seats.

And, of course, the rear seats are as inviting and comfy to sit in, with satisfactory
room for legs and feet. Use the wide, padded central armrest (supplemented by
nicely-angled outer door-mounted armrests) and adults will find it easy to chill
out in the back in their 'own' space.

It's a hatchback, so the 335-litre boot space is versatile. There's a dual height
boot which can magic up an extra four inches of height or keep it level with
the boot opening. Whichever, loading is hassle-free through the high-opening
tailgate. The 60:40 split rear seats fold down to form a seamlessly flat loadbay
that will take 1,032 litres of luggage or cargo  easily enough
to transport, as we did, bulky household items during a house move.

Key question:
Are the V40s sporty
looks borne out by its
handling?
Assuredly  sporty
has most definitely
replaced boxy for the
suave Swedes...

Key
question: Are the V40's sporty looks borne out by its handling? Assuredly 
'sporty' has most definitely replaced 'boxy' for the suave Swedes. Power is
put down through the front wheels, and the V40's an accomplished and confidence-inspiring
mover aided by good body control and decent feel and directness from the electrically-assisted
helm (the steering, incidentally, can be set at any of three driver-preferred
weightings).

With
113bhp it's no trackday tearaway (nor, as a five-door family hatch, does it
need or want to be) but there's definitely more than enough grip and ability
to press on along twisty secondaries. The six-speeder's shift action is satisfyingly
quick 'n' slick. And when you need them, the brakes are strong with a progressive
pedal feel and deliver speed-killing ability.

When
aboard, the family's prime experience will be of the V40's 'feminine' side 
it's fluent ride quality; bumps are ridden over with palpable good manners and,
for the most part, the UK's deteriorating roads pass by under the 205/50 17-inch
alloy wheels unnoticed.

Drivers will find the economical D2 engine a well-judged compromise between
economy and performance. They'll also enjoy more than a touch 
literally  of luxury in the cabin. The V40 also has one of the
most inviting and soothing interiors you'll find in any five-door hatch. Better
still, the D2 is nice to drive and just as nice to travel in, all the while
watched over by a host of electronic 'guardians'. 
MotorBar